Trump, Cruz spar as Republican Party rejects rules change

By Amanda Becker and Steve Holland WASHINGTON/HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Reuters) – Republican presidential contenders Donald Trump and Ted Cruz vied on Thursday for the support of party leaders who view them as outsiders, and turned a national controversy over a law on transgender bathroom use into a campaign issue. Saying the law, passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, was unnecessary, Trump said North Carolina was “paying a big price” because of reaction from businesses that have halted or canceled plans to expand in the state unless it is repealed. Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas who is a staunch social and fiscal conservative, expressed support for the law, and said the Republican front-runner had caved to political correctness as he seeks to lock down the party nomination and broaden his appeal ahead of the Nov. 8 election.